Our Impression.

Here in the 275., we suit our impressions to meet the needs of various event timelines. Our main area of experise is Normandy-Aachen, since this is what the majority of reenactment events are themed. Over time we will update this page with more and more of our impressions. Check back often!

Normandy-Aachen (Summer-Autumn, 1944)

During the Normandy breakout campaign, through the Autumn, elements of the 275. Infanterie were mobilized as a part of Kampfgruppe Heintz. The impression detailed here is formulated as a result of photographic research on this Kampfgruppe as well as photos of other Heer units operating in this area in the same time, since documented original photographs of the 275. Infanterie are few and far between.

Equipment shown:1. M42 Helmet with issued helmet net. These nets were very common during the Normandy campaign and appear to have been issued on a Gruppe or Kompanie level. Other styles of nets are not allowed.

2. M43 Tunic with late war insignia. This was the most common uniform among new recruits at the time of the invasion. We also allow M42 and M40 tunics, with M36 tunics reserved for older soldaten (members over the age of 35).

3. M43 Keilhosen. These were the standard late war trouser. They were designed to be worn with low boots and gamaschen and are reinforced in the seat. These are the preferred trousers however we also allow M37 trousers. We specifically do not allow pre-war "Steingrau" M37 trousers since they were phased out in the early stages of the conflict.

4. Gamaschen. Original or good reproduction gamaschen. We don't allow any sort of post war gamaschen, converted or otherwise. We are a unit with high standards which we refuse to lower.

5. Lowboots Model 37 or 42. These boots were by far the majority among new recruits by 1944 and are required by the 275th. All lowboots must be proper reproductions. Good boots cost a lot of money, so if you aren't prepared to spend a lot on footwear, perhaps a unit with lower standards would better suit your needs.

6. Socks/footwraps. We do not allow modern foot covering of any sort. Forget about wearing your tube socks or athletic socks, footwraps are cheap and very comfortable.

7. Y-straps. Must be original, properly converted Czech, or authentic reproductions. May be the "M39" style with the hidden front stitches, or the "M42" style with the exposed stitches. All y-straps are to have steel or aluminum hardware, must be black in color, and all straps must match the measurements of originals. Reference information on Y-straps is easily available through a cursory google search.

8. Belt and buckle. Black leather or olive web belt with buckle. Web belts must be purchased from a reputable dealer. At this time we only allow web belts made by At The Front or SM Wholesale. SM Wholesale belts are available through 1944militaria.com. Buckle should be painted feldgrau. Original buckles are highly preferred, only get a repro if you cannot get your hands on an original. Aluminum or steel are allowed.

9. Ammunition Pouches. Original or At The Front "Texled" ammunition pouches ONLY.

10. Breadbag. Original or proper reproduction only. Post war bags are never allowed. Repro bags must have pointed belt loops and may not have leather reinforced button holes. The breadbag is worn on the wearer's right hip.

11. Canteen. Original canteens preferred. The canteen is to be hung from the right hand D-Ring on the breadbag.

12. Mess Tin. Original mess tins are preferred, but post war Austrian models, or an East/West German hybrid will do the trick. Expect to acquire an original eventually. A google search will tell you what to look for in mess tins. The mess tin is held to the left D-Ring of the breadbag via a single leather or web equipment strap. Web straps must be either ATF or SM Wholesale.

13. Zeltbahn. The M31 Zeltbahn was the only shelter issued on an individual level in the German Army. Members will be expected to purchase at least one splinter pattern Zeltbahn. Originals are preferred. The Zelt is worn strapped to the rear of the belt directly over the breadbag with web or leather equipment straps.

14. E-tool with carrier. Original flat or folding etools are allowed. Carriers may be black leather or Pressstoff material. Brown leather carriers are not allowed.

15. Bayonet with Frog. Original wartime bayonets are recommended but reproductions will suffice. German bayonets only, no Czech/Yugo garbage. Frogs may be leather, web, or a mixture of the two.

16. Gas Mask and Can. All soldaten are required to wear their gas mask cans. All gas mask cans must be original and must contain a mask by the member's first anniversary with the unit.

How to wear the Normandy-Aachen impression

Here you see Grenadier Alois Heinz in his Normandy-Aachen time framed impression.

You may notice that Alois' uniform and equipment is banged up, dirty, and soiled. This is a look we strive for in the 275. Infanterie. Far too many reenactment groups try too hard to look pretty and clean, while the "frontschweine" appearance goes unrepresented.

Grenadier Erich Kessler demonstrates the wear of a Pressstoff E-tool carrier and web bayonet frog. He also wears the optional gas cape bag on his gas mask can.

984. Grenadier Regiment in the Hurtgen Forest

The Hurtgen Forest was known by all involved as the most brutal campaign of the war. It was where the 28th Infantry Division earned the title "Bloody Buckets", and it was where several US and German divisions reported casualty rates over 100 percent. Despite these statistics, the history of the Hell which was the Hurtgen Forest campaign is largely forgotten in history books.

The Hurtgen Forest impression we portray can take many shapes because of the many types of uniforms seen in the campaign. Mixing and matching of uniform pieces is encouraged as this is what is seen often in original photos.

Here, Grenadier Alois Klein shows off one of a few uniform variations proper for this campaign. He wears the basic winter uniform consisting of his M42 Mantel, knit wool gloves, and knit sweater. A scarf or neck toque would also often be added.

Here you can see that Alois wears the same basic fieldgear configuration as is standard.

Grenadier Klaus Heisler demonstrates the wear of a Sumpfmuster hooded smock. A veteran of earlier campaigns, he retains his jackboots. He wears standard infantryman's equipment and his knit wool gloves. He wears the neck toque to keep his ears and neck warm in the cold winter air.

A photo of Klaus' equipment shows it's late war cobbled-together appearance. He has a mix of leather and web equipment straps, a late war Pressstoff entrenching tool carrier, and a lime-green variant bakelite canteen cup. Clearly visible is the hood of the smock which was designed to fit over the stahlhelm if need arise.

The padded winter uniform was cherished by those who received it. It came in three main camouflage patterns, Splinter A, Sumpfmuster, and Mouse Gray. Issue of this item was sporadic and irregular, so it was common to see a mix of patterns on one soldat. Alois wears the Mouse Gray parka with the Sumpfmuster trousers. This uniform allowed for fantastic insulation against the cold as well as offered much better combat maneuverability over the traditional Mantel.

Alois is seen here again with his Kamerad Grenadier Dietrich Lang who wears a parka set of only Sumpfmuster pieces. Dietrich wears period correct bakelite rimmed glasses as is seen in many late war photographs. Both soldaten are armed with Kar98k rifles- the standard weapon of the German Army as well as a crucial required piece of the 275. Infanterie's impression.